A coupled CFD-DEM approach to model particle-fluid mixture transport between two parallel plates to improve understanding of proppant micromechanics in hydraulic fractures
Proppant transport was modeled using CFD-DEM by taking particle interaction into account. New particle transport mechanism of vorticity was discovered. Particle settlement forms dune that is significantly eroded by transported particles and fluid. Only reaching the equilibrium height can the particles injected later further transport forward.